Antietam National Battlefield

Quick Facts

Things To Do

Overview

Antietam National Battlefield is a National Park Service protected area along Antietam Creek in Sharpsburg, Maryland which commemorates the American Civil War Battle of Antietam that occurred on September 17, 1862. The area, situated on fields among the Appalachian foothills near the Potomac River, features the battlefield site and visitor center, a national military cemetery and a field hospital museum. Today, over 330,000 people visit the park each year.

The Battle began at dawn on September 17, 1862, when Major General Joseph Hooker began the Union artillery bombardment off the Confederate positions of Major General Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson in the Miller cornfield. Hooker's troops advanced behind the falling shells and drove the Confederates from their positions. Around 7 a.m. Jackson reinforced his troops and pushed the Union troops back. Union Major General Joseph K. Mansfield sent his men into the fray and regained some of the ground lost to the Confederates.

As the fighting in the cornfield was coming to a close, Major General William H. French was moving his Federals forward to support Major General John Sedgwick and veered into Confederate Major General D.H. Hill's troops posted in the Sunken Road. Fierce fighting continued here for four hours before exhaustion overwhelmed both sides.

On the southeast side of town, Union Maj. Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside's troops had been trying to cross Antietam Creek since mid-morning. Around 1 p.m., they finally crossed the bridge and took the heights. After a 2 hour lull to reform the Union lines, they advanced up the hill, driving the Confederates back towards Sharpsburg. But for the timely arrival of Major General A.P. Hill's division from Harpers Ferry, Burnside would have entered Sharpsburg. Instead, the Union troops were driven back to the heights above the bridge.

Activities

Bicycling

Bicycling is permitted on paved park tour roads and parking lots. Riding is prohibited on all sidewalks, agricultural land, and the Snavely's Ford Trail. Maryland law requires riders under the age of 16 to wear an approved D.O.T. helmet. Cyclists are subject to Maryland Traffic Law.

Auto/Motorcycle

The Cornfield Trail is 1.6 miles in length and starts at Auto Tour Stop 2. The newest trail at Antietam is the Union Advance Trail. It is about a mile and starts and ends at the Burnside Bridge parking area, auto tour stop 9. Explore the final hours of the Battle of Antietam by walking the Final Attack Trail. It is 1.7 miles long and starts and ends at the Burnside Bridge parking area, auto tour stop 9.

Camping

Camping at the Rohrbach Group Campground requires a permit. Only organized groups (such as Boy Scouts, Church, and School Groups) are permitted to camp. Applications are available at the Visitor Center. Camping in other park areas is prohibited. Fires are prohibited in all park areas except for the Rohrbach Campground and areas approved for use by NPS living history employees and volunteers.

Fishing

Fishing is allowed on the Antietam Creek with a valid Maryland Fishing License. Fishing from or within 500 feet of the Burnside Bridge is prohibited.

Hiking

Working with their partner, Civil War Traveler, Antietam National Battlefield has developed three trail Podcasts. Podcasts are audio files that can be downloaded onto an iPod or mp3 player, then taken to the battlefield for a walking tour. The three trails with podcasts are: the Cornfield Trail, the Union Advance Trail and the Final Attack Trail.

The podcasts are located on Civil War Traveler's website. There you will find detailed instructions and battlefield maps to accompany the audio tours. Your tour guide is Park Ranger Keith Snyder.

Bloody Lane Trail is the newest trail in the park and it is 1.6 miles in length. The trail starts at the visitor center and follows in the footsteps of Union soldiers in their march toward Bloody Lane. The Cornfield Trail is 1.6 miles in length and starts at Auto Tour Stop 2. The 1.5-mile West Woods Trail weaves through the historic woodlot starting at the park Visitor Center. The Antietam Remembered Trail is a quarter-mile paved trail starts and ends at the park visitor center. The newest trail at Antietam is the Union Advance Trail. It is about a mile and starts and ends at the Burnside Bridge parking area, auto tour stop 9. Explore the final hours of the Battle of Antietam by walking the Final Attack Trail. It is 1.7 miles long and starts and ends at the Burnside Bridge parking area, auto tour stop 9.

Historic Sites

The park's visitor center offers exhibits, a theatre, an observation room and a museum store. The award-winning film "Antietam Visit" is shown on the hour. Daily at 12:00 p.m. a one hour documentary about the battle is shown in the theatre. Park Rangers also offer daily interpretative talks. The schedule changes based on the season; a daily schedule can be acquired at the Visitor Center.

Seasonality/Weather

Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day

Park Partners

The mission of the Western Maryland Interpretive Association is to inspire people to preserve and protect Antietam for the benefit of all who visit the park, and for generations to follow. The association is honored to work with the park staff that diligently cares for this hallowed ground and grateful for the growing numbers of Antietam Partners - members, project donors and volunteers - who value the sacrifice and serenity that is Antietam.

(301) 432-4329

Directions

Driving

Traveling east on Interstate 70:
* Exit 29A onto Route 65 south.
* 10 miles south on the left is the Visitor Center.

Traveling west on Interstate 70 from the Baltimore/Washington area:
* Exit 29 onto Route 65 South towards Sharpsburg.
* Travel about 10 miles south to the Park Visitor Center entrance which will be on your left side.

Traveling north-south on Interstate 81:
* Exit 1, Route 68, six miles east to Route 65.
* Turn right at light on Route 65.
* Five miles south on the left is the Visitor Center.